Regulation 3 Purposes and Objectives

(1)

The purposes of the Scheme shall be–

(a)

the promotion of co-operative development by eligible applicants within crofting communities; and

(b)

the creation of community-based development plans which qualify for financial assistance under the Scheme.

(2)

Subject to the provisions of the Scheme and the Community legislation, the Scottish Ministers may make payments under the Scheme to eligible applicants as provided in regulation 6 where they are satisfied that the payments will help to achieve the objectives of encouraging recipients to meet one or more of the following objectives:–

(a)

to improve the quality and the marketing of the agricultural output from that community without increasing the level of production;

(b)

to diversify and broaden the economic base of the community;

(c)

to adopt beneficial environmental measures;

(d)

to identify and implement projects of a social or cultural nature for the benefit of the community;

(e)

to establish communication links and management structures within communities;

(f)

to use information technology;

(g)

to prepare and implement suitable local training programmes.